Multi-Agent Quantum Reinforcement Learning for Adaptive Transmission in NOMA-Based Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA

This paper proposes a Multi-Agent Quantum Deep Reinforcement Learning (MA-QDRL) framework to optimize uplink access in Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA with Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (IRSA-NOMA) systems under practical constraints such as finite frame lengths and fading channels. IRSA enhance...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Won Jae Ryu, Jae-Min Lee, Dong-Seong Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11005393/
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850174546336808960
author Won Jae Ryu
Jae-Min Lee
Dong-Seong Kim
author_facet Won Jae Ryu
Jae-Min Lee
Dong-Seong Kim
author_sort Won Jae Ryu
collection DOAJ
description This paper proposes a Multi-Agent Quantum Deep Reinforcement Learning (MA-QDRL) framework to optimize uplink access in Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA with Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (IRSA-NOMA) systems under practical constraints such as finite frame lengths and fading channels. IRSA enhances reliability by allowing devices to transmit multiple packet replicas across random time slots, while NOMA increases spectral efficiency through power-domain multiplexing with successive interference cancellation (SIC). As a benchmark, Contention Resolution Diversity Slotted ALOHA (CRDSA) improves traditional ALOHA through packet repetition and interference cancellation, maintaining solid performance under moderate network loads; however, its efficiency gradually declines under heavier traffic due to increased collisions and limited adaptability. Conventional multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MA-CDRL) approaches have been explored to address coordination challenges in such environments. Nevertheless, these models often experience scalability limitations and unstable convergence as the number of agents increases. To overcome these challenges, MA-QDRL integrates variational quantum circuits into agents&#x2019; policy networks to improve learning efficiency and convergence. Simulation results demonstrate that MA-QDRL reduces packet loss rate by 63.2% compared to classical DRL and by 39.2% compared to CRDSA-NOMA under high network load conditions <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$(G = 1.0)$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, confirming its effectiveness in highly congested IoT environments. In addition, it reduces overall computational cost compared to MA-CDRL. These results highlight the potential of MA-QDRL as a scalable and efficient solution for dynamic multi-agent wireless access in next-generation IoT networks.
format Article
id doaj-art-36f22bacea0d4d8aa699d6d0f1c300a8
institution OA Journals
issn 2644-125X
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IEEE
record_format Article
series IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society
spelling doaj-art-36f22bacea0d4d8aa699d6d0f1c300a82025-08-20T02:19:38ZengIEEEIEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society2644-125X2025-01-0164405442010.1109/OJCOMS.2025.357044411005393Multi-Agent Quantum Reinforcement Learning for Adaptive Transmission in NOMA-Based Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHAWon Jae Ryu0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1987-5969Jae-Min Lee1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6885-5185Dong-Seong Kim2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2977-5964ICT Convergence Research Center, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi, Republic of KoreaThe IT Convergence Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi, Republic of KoreaThe IT Convergence Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi, Republic of KoreaThis paper proposes a Multi-Agent Quantum Deep Reinforcement Learning (MA-QDRL) framework to optimize uplink access in Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA with Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (IRSA-NOMA) systems under practical constraints such as finite frame lengths and fading channels. IRSA enhances reliability by allowing devices to transmit multiple packet replicas across random time slots, while NOMA increases spectral efficiency through power-domain multiplexing with successive interference cancellation (SIC). As a benchmark, Contention Resolution Diversity Slotted ALOHA (CRDSA) improves traditional ALOHA through packet repetition and interference cancellation, maintaining solid performance under moderate network loads; however, its efficiency gradually declines under heavier traffic due to increased collisions and limited adaptability. Conventional multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MA-CDRL) approaches have been explored to address coordination challenges in such environments. Nevertheless, these models often experience scalability limitations and unstable convergence as the number of agents increases. To overcome these challenges, MA-QDRL integrates variational quantum circuits into agents&#x2019; policy networks to improve learning efficiency and convergence. Simulation results demonstrate that MA-QDRL reduces packet loss rate by 63.2% compared to classical DRL and by 39.2% compared to CRDSA-NOMA under high network load conditions <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$(G = 1.0)$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, confirming its effectiveness in highly congested IoT environments. In addition, it reduces overall computational cost compared to MA-CDRL. These results highlight the potential of MA-QDRL as a scalable and efficient solution for dynamic multi-agent wireless access in next-generation IoT networks.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11005393/Quantum neural network (QNN)multi-agent reinforcement learningquantum deep reinforcement learning (QDRL)uplink random accessIRSA-NOMA Optimizationfinite-length frame
spellingShingle Won Jae Ryu
Jae-Min Lee
Dong-Seong Kim
Multi-Agent Quantum Reinforcement Learning for Adaptive Transmission in NOMA-Based Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA
IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society
Quantum neural network (QNN)
multi-agent reinforcement learning
quantum deep reinforcement learning (QDRL)
uplink random access
IRSA-NOMA Optimization
finite-length frame
title Multi-Agent Quantum Reinforcement Learning for Adaptive Transmission in NOMA-Based Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA
title_full Multi-Agent Quantum Reinforcement Learning for Adaptive Transmission in NOMA-Based Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA
title_fullStr Multi-Agent Quantum Reinforcement Learning for Adaptive Transmission in NOMA-Based Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA
title_full_unstemmed Multi-Agent Quantum Reinforcement Learning for Adaptive Transmission in NOMA-Based Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA
title_short Multi-Agent Quantum Reinforcement Learning for Adaptive Transmission in NOMA-Based Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA
title_sort multi agent quantum reinforcement learning for adaptive transmission in noma based irregular repetition slotted aloha
topic Quantum neural network (QNN)
multi-agent reinforcement learning
quantum deep reinforcement learning (QDRL)
uplink random access
IRSA-NOMA Optimization
finite-length frame
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11005393/
work_keys_str_mv AT wonjaeryu multiagentquantumreinforcementlearningforadaptivetransmissioninnomabasedirregularrepetitionslottedaloha
AT jaeminlee multiagentquantumreinforcementlearningforadaptivetransmissioninnomabasedirregularrepetitionslottedaloha
AT dongseongkim multiagentquantumreinforcementlearningforadaptivetransmissioninnomabasedirregularrepetitionslottedaloha